Cleaning system with a vacuum cleaner and a docking station that can collect debris from the vacuum cleaner

Abstract

Cleaning system (1), comprising: - a vacuum cleaner (2) with • a main body (4) having a suction nozzle (5), • a handle (6) which is mechanically connected to the main body (4), the handle (6) being elongated and having a central longitudinal axis (A), • a waste separation and collection device (11) which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle (5), wherein the waste separation and collection device (11) comprises a waste collection container (12) with a front emptying opening (17) and a front emptying element (16) which is designed to assume a closure configuration in which the front emptying element (16) closes the front emptying opening (17) and a release configuration in which the front emptying element (16) releases the front emptying opening (17), wherein the central longitudinal axis (A) of the handle (6) is inclined with respect to a central longitudinal axis (B) of the waste collection container (12), and • a suction motor (19) housed in the main body (4), the suction motor (19) being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle (5) and the debris separation and collection device (11), - a docking station (3) for receiving the vacuum cleaner (2), the docking station (3) comprising: • an emptying container (26) which defines a receiving space (27) which is designed to at least partially receive the waste collection container (12), and • a suction device (33) for generating a negative pressure in the receiving space (27), characterized in that the suction motor (19) is arranged behind the central longitudinal axis (A) of the handle (6), and in that the front emptying element (16) is designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the waste collection container (12) is arranged in the receiving space (27) and a negative pressure is generated in the receiving space (27) by the suction device (33).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vacuum cleaners for vacuuming dust and debris located on a surface to be cleaned, which may be, for example, tiles, parquet, laminate, carpeting or a rug. State of the art

[0002] A cleaning system is known to include: - a vacuum cleaner with • a main body having a suction nozzle, • a handle that is mechanically connected to the main body, • a waste separation and collection device which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle, wherein the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container with a front emptying opening, a front emptying flap which is mounted on the waste collection container so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position in which the front emptying flap closes the front emptying opening and a release position in which the front emptying flap releases the front emptying opening, an actuating element for actuating the front emptying flap into the release position, and a locking element which is attached to the waste collection container opposite the pivot axis of the front emptying flap with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container and which can be pivoted between a locking position in which the locking element can lock the front emptying flap in the closed position,and an unlocking position in which the locking element can release the front emptying flap and allow it to pivot into the release position, • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle and the debris separation and collection device, - a docking station for holding the vacuum cleaner, the docking station comprising: • an emptying container defining a receiving space designed to at least partially accommodate the waste collection container, • an actuating element designed to cooperate with the locking element attached to the waste collection container and to move the locking element into the unlocking position when the waste collection container is inserted into the receiving space, and • a collection device that is fluidly connected to the receiving space and is designed to collect waste from the waste collection container. • a suction device designed to suck waste out of the waste collection container and to convey the sucked waste into the collection device.

[0003] Such a configuration of the actuating element and the locking element ensures automatic pivoting of the front emptying flap into the release position when the waste collection container is inserted into the receiving space, thus avoiding the risk of contamination of the user and his environment during a step of emptying the waste collection container into the docking station.

[0004] However, such a locking element configuration increases the manufacturing costs of the waste collection container and thus the vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, a failure of the locking element may make it impossible to close the front discharge flap, which may then render the waste separation and collection system inoperable.

[0005] In addition, due to the presence of a biasing element for elastically returning the front discharge flap to the release position, it is necessary to equip the docking station with a locking element that can move the front discharge flap to the locking position against the return force exerted by the biasing element, which in turn results in an increase in the manufacturing costs of the cleaning system. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to eliminate some or all of these disadvantages.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention is, in particular, to provide a cleaning system which is simple in construction, reliable and ergonomic, while limiting the risk of contamination of a user or his environment during a phase of emptying a waste collection container belonging to the cleaning system.

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a cleaning system comprising: - a vacuum cleaner with • a main body having a suction nozzle, • a handle which is mechanically connected to the main body, the handle being elongated and having a central longitudinal axis, • a waste separation and collection device fluidly connected to the suction nozzle, wherein the waste separation and collection device comprises a waste collection container with a front emptying opening and a front emptying element configured to assume a closure configuration in which the front emptying element closes the front emptying opening and a release configuration in which the front emptying element releases the emptying opening, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the handle is inclined with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container, and • a suction motor housed in the main body, the suction motor being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle and the debris separation and collection device, - a docking station for holding the vacuum cleaner, the docking station comprising: • an emptying container defining a receiving space designed to at least partially accommodate the waste collection container, and • a suction device for generating a negative pressure in the receiving space, wherein the suction motor is arranged behind the central longitudinal axis of the handle, wherein the front emptying element is designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the waste collection container is arranged in the receiving space and a negative pressure is generated in the receiving space by the suction device.

[0009] In other words, the front emptying element and the suction device are designed in such a way that the front emptying element is automatically moved into the release configuration when the waste collection container is arranged in the receiving space and a negative pressure is generated in the receiving space by the suction device.

[0010] Such a configuration of the cleaning system according to the invention, in particular of the front emptying element and the suction device, ensures a reliable and automatic displacement of the front emptying element into the release configuration when the waste collection container is inserted into the receiving space and the suction device is switched on, without the need for a specific actuating element that can unlock the front emptying element or displace the front emptying element into the release configuration.

[0011] These measures thus make it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the cleaning system according to the invention and also give it increased reliability.

[0012] The cleaning system may also comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or in combination.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a base body for resting on the floor.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction device is accommodated in the base body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the negative pressure generated by the suction device in the receiving space exceeds a predetermined value.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying opening has a passage cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the waste collection container and is, for example, less than 80% of the cross-section of the waste collection container.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the refuse collection container has a front end surface with a peripheral edge, wherein the front emptying element has a peripheral edge which is at a distance from the peripheral edge of the front end surface.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is a front emptying flap.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is movably mounted on the waste collection container between the closure configuration and the release configuration.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is mounted on the waste collection container so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between the closure configuration and the release configuration.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the front emptying element extends transversely to a central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the front emptying element is located substantially diametrically opposite the suction nozzle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container. In other words, the pivot axis of the front emptying element is located in an upper section of the waste collection container.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the debris separation and collection device comprises a biasing element, such as a biasing spring, a leaf spring, or a torsion spring, designed to bias the front discharge element into the closed configuration. The presence of such a biasing element ensures automatic displacement of the front discharge element as soon as the suction device is switched off, thereby further reducing the manufacturing costs of the cleaning system according to the invention.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is elastically deformable between the closure configuration and the release configuration.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element is a front emptying membrane.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element consists of an elastomeric material.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the front emptying element comprises a fastening portion which is fastened to the waste collection container, a closure portion which is designed to close the front emptying opening when the front emptying element assumes the closure configuration and to release the front emptying opening when the front emptying element assumes the release configuration, and a bending line which connects the closure portion to the fastening portion, wherein the closure portion is designed to be displaced between the closure configuration and the release configuration by bending along the bending line.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a collecting device which is fluidically connected to the emptying container and is designed to collect waste from the waste collection container when the waste collection container is accommodated in the receiving space, wherein the suction device is designed to convey waste from the waste collection container into the collecting device.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collecting device is arranged in the base body.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the collecting device comprises a dust bag.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the emptying container has an upper peripheral edge which defines an upper insertion opening through which the waste collection container can be inserted into the receiving space, wherein the upper insertion opening is designed to face upwards when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste collection container is designed such that it can be inserted into and removed from the receiving space from the top of the docking station, for example in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving space has a central longitudinal axis which is designed to extend substantially vertically when the docking station rests on a horizontal surface.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning system comprises a sealing device designed to be arranged between the waste collection container and the emptying container and to seal an upper portion of the receiving space when the waste collection container is received in the emptying container.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste separation and collection device is of the cyclone type.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station is designed to charge a rechargeable battery of the vacuum cleaner when the vacuum cleaner is picked up by the docking station.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner has a first electrical connector located in a front portion of the main body of the vacuum cleaner and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery, and the docking station has a second electrical connector located in the receiving space and configured to electrically cooperate with the first electrical connector when the debris collection container is inserted into the receiving space.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the docking station comprises a detection device, such as an electrical switch, designed to detect the presence of the waste collection container in the receiving space, as well as an electronic control unit designed to control activation of the suction device only when the detection device has detected the presence of the waste collection container in the receiving space. Such a configuration of the cleaning system ensures automatic emptying of the waste collection container without requiring user intervention after the waste collection container has been inserted into the receiving space.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction motor has a motor axis, and the central longitudinal axis of the waste collection container runs substantially parallel to the motor axis of the suction motor and, for example, substantially coincides with the motor axis.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the handle is arranged in a rear portion of the vacuum cleaner.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rechargeable battery is accommodated in a battery housing which is connected to the handle and in particular to a lower portion of the handle and, for example, is fastened thereto.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a stick vacuum cleaner.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the vacuum cleaner is a portable vacuum cleaner, which is also referred to as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

[0044] The present invention further relates to a method for controlling a cleaning system, comprising: - Providing a cleaning system according to the invention, - Picking up the waste collection container in the receiving room, - automatic detection of the presence of the waste collection container in the receiving space, and - automatic activation of the suction device when the presence of the waste collection container in the receiving space has been detected, in order to move the front emptying element into the release configuration and to suck out the waste contained in the waste collection container. Short description of the characters

[0045] The invention will be clearly understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this cleaning system. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a cleaning system according to the invention, showing a vacuum cleaner of the cleaning system received in a docking station of the cleaning system and illustrating the vacuum cleaner being inserted into the docking station; Fig. 2 is a perspective front view of the vacuum cleaner of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic partial view in longitudinal section through the cleaning system of Fig. 1, which shows the vacuum cleaner being inserted into a receiving space of the docking station. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic partial view in longitudinal section through the vacuum cleaner inserted into the receiving space of the docking station. Detailed description

[0046] In this document, the terms "front", "rear", "frontal", "upper", "lower", "above", and "below" are defined with reference to use of the vacuum cleaner in which the user holds the vacuum cleaner by the handle and keeps it substantially horizontal, and the suction nozzle provided on the main body is facing away from the user with the central axis of the suction nozzle in a horizontal position.

[0047] Unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially” in this publication means “exactly or to within 10% or 10°”.

[0048] The Fig. 1 to 4 show a cleaning system 1 with a vacuum cleaner 2, in particular a stick vacuum cleaner, and a docking station 3 for receiving the vacuum cleaner 2.

[0049] The vacuum cleaner 2 comprises in particular a main body 4 provided with a suction nozzle 5 arranged in a front portion of the main body 4, a handle 6 mechanically connected to the main body 4 and allowing the vacuum cleaner 2 to be grasped by a user, and a suction head 7 fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 5 and intended to rest on the floor.

[0050] In a known manner, the suction head 7 comprises a soleplate with a bottom designed to be directed toward a surface to be cleaned, and with a suction opening opening into the bottom of the soleplate through which outside air can be sucked by the vacuum cleaner 2. The suction head 7 can be attached directly to the suction nozzle 5 or attached to the latter via a suction accessory 8, such as a suction tube.

[0051] Advantageously, the handle 6 has a central longitudinal axis A and extends from a rear end of the main body 4. The handle 6 can be made in one piece with the main body 4 or attached thereto.

[0052] The vacuum cleaner 2 also has a debris separation and collection device 11, which is, for example, removably attached to the main body 4 and is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle 5.

[0053] Advantageously, the waste separation and collection device 11 is of the cyclone type. For this purpose, the waste separation and collection device 11 comprises in particular: - a waste collection container 12 comprising a generally tubular peripheral wall, - a tubular separation element (not shown in the figures), such as a tubular grid, arranged in the waste collection container 12 coaxially to a central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12, and - a cyclone separation chamber (not shown in the figures) which is delimited externally by the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and internally by the tubular separation element.

[0054] The waste collection container 12 also has an air inlet opening (not shown in the figures) which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle 5 and opens into the cyclone separation chamber.

[0055] The debris separation and collection device 11 also comprises a front discharge element 16, such as a front discharge flap, which is designed to have a closure configuration (see Fig. 2), in which the front emptying element 16 closes a front emptying opening 17 on a front end surface 12.1 of the refuse collection container 12, and a release configuration (see Fig. 4), in which the front emptying element 16 releases the front emptying opening 17.

[0056] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the front emptying element 16 is mounted on the refuse collection container 12 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis C between the closure configuration and the release configuration. The pivot axis C of the front emptying element 16 extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis B of the refuse collection container 12 and is located at or on the front end surface 12.1 of the refuse collection container 12. Advantageously, the pivot axis C is located substantially diametrically opposite the suction nozzle 5 with respect to the central longitudinal axis B of the refuse collection container 12.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the front emptying opening 17 has a passage cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the waste collection container 12 and is, for example, less than 80% of the cross-section of the waste collection container 12.

[0058] The waste separation and collection device 11 further comprises a loading element 18 (see Fig. 2), such as a biasing spring, in particular a torsion spring, or a leaf spring, which is designed to bias the front emptying element 16 into the closure configuration.

[0059] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vacuum cleaner 2 further comprises a suction motor 19 housed in the main body 4. The suction motor 19 is designed to generate an air flow through the suction head 7, the suction nozzle 5, and the debris separation and collection device 11. In particular, the suction motor 19 comprises a fan and an electric motor designed to drive the fan in rotation.

[0060] Advantageously, the handle 6 is arranged in a rear section of the vacuum cleaner 2, and the suction motor 19 is located behind the central longitudinal axis A of the handle 6.

[0061] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the central longitudinal axis B of the waste collection container 12 runs parallel to a motor axis of the suction motor 19 and can, for example, substantially coincide with the motor axis, and the central longitudinal axis A of the handle 6 runs inclined with respect to the motor axis.

[0062] The vacuum cleaner 2 also includes a rechargeable battery 22 designed to supply power to the vacuum cleaner 2, and in particular to the suction motor 19. The rechargeable battery 22, also called a battery pack, comprises several battery cells.

[0063] According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the handle 6 is arranged between the rechargeable battery 22 and the main body 4. The rechargeable battery 22 is advantageously housed in a battery housing connected to the handle 6, and in particular to a lower portion of the handle 6. Advantageously, the vacuum cleaner 2 comprises a support 23 extending substantially parallel to the handle 6 between the battery housing and the main body 4.

[0064] As in Fig. 1, the docking station 3 is designed to support and position the vacuum cleaner 2 in a storage position in which the vacuum cleaner 2 extends substantially vertically.

[0065] The docking station 3 comprises, in particular, a base 24 with a base body 25 for resting on the floor and an emptying container 26 that defines a receiving space 27 for at least partially receiving the waste collection container 12 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is received in the docking station 3. The waste contained in the waste collection container 12 can, in particular, be emptied into the emptying container 26.

[0066] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the emptying container 26 has an upper peripheral edge which defines an upper insertion opening 28 through which the waste collection container 12 can be inserted into the receiving space 27.

[0067] Advantageously, the receiving space 27 has a central longitudinal axis designed to extend substantially vertically when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface, and the upper insertion opening 28 is designed to face upwards when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface. Thus, the waste collection container 12 is designed to be inserted into and removed from the receiving space 27 from the top of the docking station 3 in a direction of movement that is substantially vertical when the docking station 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0068] The cleaning system 1 further comprises a sealing device 31, such as a seal attached to the emptying container 26, which is designed to be arranged between the waste collection container 12 and the emptying container 26 and to seal an upper portion of the receiving space 27 when the waste collection container 12 is received in the emptying container 26. The sealing device 31 is particularly designed to extend between the peripheral wall of the waste collection container 12 and an inner peripheral surface of the emptying container 26.

[0069] The docking station 3 also includes a collection device 32, which is fluidly connected to the emptying container 26, for example via a connecting pipe, and is designed to collect debris from the debris collection container 12 when the debris collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27. According to one embodiment of the invention, the collection device 32 includes a dust bag removably arranged in a receiving compartment defined by the base body 25.

[0070] The docking station 3 also includes a suction device 33, which is designed to generate a negative pressure in the receiving space 27 and, in particular, to suction debris from the debris collection container 12 and transport the suctioned debris into the collection device 32. The suction device 33 comprises, for example, a motor fan arranged in the base body 25.

[0071] The front emptying element 16 is in particular designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the negative pressure generated by the suction device 33 in the receiving space 27 exceeds a predetermined value, and in particular when it is greater than the restoring force exerted by the loading element 18 on the front emptying element 16.

[0072] Advantageously, the docking station 3 is provided with a detection device 34, such as an electrical switch or a Hall sensor, designed to detect the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27, as well as with an electronic control unit 35 designed to control the operation of the docking station 3 and, in particular, to control the activation of the suction device 33 when the detection device 34 has detected the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27. The detection device 34 can, for example, be arranged in the receiving space 27, and the electronic control unit 35 can, for example, be arranged in the base body 25.

[0073] Thus, when the refuse collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27, the suction device 33 is automatically switched on, whereby a negative pressure is generated in the receiving space 27, the front emptying element 16 is automatically moved into the release configuration, the refuse contained in the refuse collection container 12 is sucked out, and the sucked-out refuse is conveyed to the collecting device 32 where it is collected.

[0074] An example of carrying out a method for controlling the cleaning system 1 is described below.

[0075] Such a control procedure includes the following steps: - Providing a cleaning system 1 according to the invention, - Picking up the waste collection container 12 into the receiving space 27, - automatic detection, by the detection device 34, of the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27, and - automatic activation of the suction device 33 by the electronic control unit 35 when the presence of the waste collection container 12 in the receiving space 27 has been detected, in order to move the front emptying element 16 into the release configuration and to suck out the waste contained in the waste collection container 12 and to convey the waste to the collection device 32.

[0076] Advantageously, the receiving step consists in inserting a front portion of the waste collection container 12 into the receiving space 27 via the upper insertion opening 28 in a direction of movement which is substantially vertical.

[0077] In this way, the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention ensures automatic and simple emptying of the waste collection container 12 without the user having to actuate the front emptying element 16 and without the risk of contamination of the user and his surroundings.

[0078] Advantageously, the docking station 3 can also be configured to charge the rechargeable battery 22 of the vacuum cleaner 2 when the latter is accommodated in the docking station 3, and in particular when the waste collection container 12 is accommodated in the receiving space 27. Such a configuration of the cleaning system 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to empty the waste collection container 12 and charge the rechargeable battery 22 when the vacuum cleaner 2 is accommodated in the docking station 3.

[0079] For this purpose, the vacuum cleaner 2 can, for example, have a first electrical connector with a pair of first electrical contacts located in a front portion of the main body 4 of the vacuum cleaner 2 and connected to the rechargeable battery 22, for example by electrical connecting wires extending through the main body 4 and the handle 6, and the docking station 3 can, for example, have a second electrical connector with a pair of second electrical contacts located in the receiving space 27 and designed to electrically interact with the first electrical contacts provided on the vacuum cleaner 2 when the waste collection container 12 is received in the receiving space 27.

[0080] The docking station 3 also comprises a power supply unit, also called a power adapter, which is designed to be electrically connected to a power supply socket, such as a mains socket and in particular a wall socket, and to supply the docking station 3 and in particular the second electrical connector with power.

[0081] According to a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the front-discharge element 16 could be elastically deformable between the closure configuration and the release configuration. For example, the front-discharge element 16 could be a front-discharge membrane and made of an elastomeric material.

[0082] According to yet another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the front emptying element 16 could comprise a fastening portion fastened to the refuse collection container 12, a closure portion for closing or releasing the front emptying opening 17 depending on the configuration assumed by the front emptying element 16, and a bending line connecting the closure portion to the fastening portion, wherein the closure portion is designed to be displaced between the closure configuration and the release configuration by bending along the bending line.

[0083] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which are given only as examples. Modifications are still possible, particularly with regard to the structure of the various parts or the replacement by technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Cleaning system (1), comprising: - a vacuum cleaner (2) with • a main body (4) having a suction nozzle (5), • a handle (6) which is mechanically connected to the main body (4), the handle (6) being elongated and having a central longitudinal axis (A), • a waste separation and collection device (11) which is fluidically connected to the suction nozzle (5), wherein the waste separation and collection device (11) comprises a waste collection container (12) with a front emptying opening (17) and a front emptying element (16) which is designed to assume a closure configuration in which the front emptying element (16) closes the front emptying opening (17) and a release configuration in which the front emptying element (16) releases the front emptying opening (17), wherein the central longitudinal axis (A) of the handle (6) is inclined with respect to a central longitudinal axis (B) of the waste collection container (12), and • a suction motor (19) housed in the main body (4), the suction motor (19) being designed to generate an air flow through the suction nozzle (5) and the debris separation and collection device (11), - a docking station (3) for receiving the vacuum cleaner (2), the docking station (3) comprising: • an emptying container (26) which defines a receiving space (27) which is designed to at least partially receive the waste collection container (12), and • a suction device (33) for generating a negative pressure in the receiving space (27), characterized by that the suction motor (19) is arranged behind the central longitudinal axis (A) of the handle (6), and that the front emptying element (16) is designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the waste collection container (12) is arranged in the receiving space (27) and a negative pressure is generated in the receiving space (27) by the suction device (33). [2] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the front emptying element (16) is designed to be automatically displaced into the release configuration when the negative pressure generated by the suction device (33) in the receiving space (27) exceeds a predetermined value. [3] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front emptying opening (17) has a passage cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the waste collection container (12). [4] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the waste collection container (12) has a front end surface (12.1) with a peripheral edge, wherein the front emptying element (16) has a peripheral edge which is at a distance from the peripheral edge of the front end surface (12.1). [5] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the front emptying element (16) is a front emptying flap. [6] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front emptying element (16) is movably mounted on the refuse collection container (12) between the closure configuration and the release configuration. [7] Cleaning system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the front emptying element (16) is mounted on the refuse collection container (12) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (C) between the closure configuration and the release configuration. [8] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the debris separation and collection device (11) comprises an urging element (18) for urging the front emptying element (16) into the closure configuration. [9] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front emptying element (16) is elastically deformable between the closure configuration and the release configuration. [10] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the docking station (3) has a collecting device (32) which is fluidically connected to the emptying container (26) and is designed to collect debris from the debris collection container (12) when the debris collection container (12) is received in the receiving space (27), wherein the suction device (33) is designed to convey debris from the debris collection container (12) into the collecting device (32). [11] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the emptying container (26) has an upper peripheral edge which delimits an upper insertion opening (28) through which the waste collection container (12) can be inserted into the receiving space (27), wherein the upper insertion opening (28) is designed to be directed upwards when the docking station (3) rests on a horizontal surface. [12] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a sealing device (31) which is designed to be arranged between the waste collection container (12) and the emptying container (26) and to seal an upper portion of the receiving space (27) when the waste collection container (12) is received in the emptying container (26). [13] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the docking station (3) is designed to charge a rechargeable battery (22) of the vacuum cleaner (2) when the vacuum cleaner (2) is received in the docking station (3). [14] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the docking station (3) comprises a detection device (34) designed to detect the presence of the waste collection container (12) in the receiving space (27), and an electronic control unit (35) designed to control switching on of the suction device (33) only when the detection device (34) has detected the presence of the waste collection container (12) in the receiving space (27). [15] Cleaning system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the vacuum cleaner (2) is a stick vacuum cleaner.

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